Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Dog with neck trachea rupture and false airway after bite
By Fenet, Marion et al.·Published in The Canadian veterinary journal = La revue veterinaire canadienne·2022·Department of Diagnostic Imaging (Fenet, France·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Cervical tracheal rupture with persistence of a pseudotrachea in a dog.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A dog developed severe breathing problems after being bitten on the neck. The vet found a deep wound and some air trapped under the skin, and initially treated the dog with oxygen, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories. However, the dog's condition worsened, leading to a tracheoscopy that revealed a serious rupture in the trachea. Surgery was performed to repair the trachea, and after 15 days, the dog fully recovered with no more breathing issues. This case shows that even minor symptoms can indicate serious injuries, and a CT scan can be crucial for proper diagnosis.
People also search for: dog breathing problems after bite · tracheal rupture in dogs · dog neck injury treatment
Abstract
A dog was examined because of acute onset of respiratory distress following a cervical dog bite. Physical examination revealed a deep ventral cervical bite wound associated with localized mild subcutaneous emphysema. Thoracic radiographs showed moderate pneumomediastinum. Medical management consisting of oxygen therapy, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatories was initiated. After 2 days, respiratory distress suddenly worsened. Tracheoscopy showed a discontinuity between the tracheal rings of the cervical trachea; however, the inner tracheal wall appeared intact. Computed tomography scan revealed a ~3-cm complete rupture of all layers of the trachea. Surgical resection and anastomosis of the trachea were performed successfully. Follow-up 15 days after surgery showed complete resolution of respiratory signs, as well as subcutaneous emphysema. A mild ventral angulation of the trachea at the surgical site was noticed on thoracic radiographs. This is the first case report of a pseudotrachea in a dog. Persistence of a pseudotrachea may initially result in only minor clinical signs responsive to medical therapy despite tracheal rupture. In the presence of a pseudotrachea, tracheal rupture may be difficult to identify with tracheoscopy alone. Therefore, CT scan should be proposed in every patient with suspected tracheal trauma. Key clinical message: This case report highlights the importance of including a tracheal rupture in the differential diagnosis of cervical subcutaneous emphysema, even if the amount is small and not associated with significant respiratory signs. The presence of a pseudotrachea may result in less severe clinical signs than expected based on the actual degree of tracheal injury; however, the clinical status may rapidly deteriorate and become life-threatening. This case report also underlines the importance of a CT scan as a complement to tracheoscopy, which may not be sufficient to identify a tracheal rupture in the presence of a pseudotrachea.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35919475/